Spay and Neuter: Cats

Affordable Animal Hospital is committed to providing the community with quality care at reasonable prices. Most cat owners understand that spaying or neutering a feline friend is the responsible thing to do. Spaying and neutering cats is very important in controlling the pet population, but also has the benefit of improving cat health and longevity.

What is Spaying and Neutering?

Essentially, spaying and neutering are minor routine surgeries that sterilize your pet. When you spay or neuter your cat, they will not be at risk of either impregnating another cat, or becoming pregnant. Spaying your cat means that they will not go into heat and experience the compelling need to mate. Neutering also addresses the natural drive to reproduce and attract a mate by marking territory. The process will give you a calmer, happier cat.

Why Spay or Neuter Your Cat?

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) advocates spaying or neutering pets at a young age, for several reasons. Studies show that spaying a female cat before their first heat cycle drastically reduces the chances of your cat developing uterine infections and breast tumors that are cancerous in about 90 percent of cases. Neutering a cat also helps avoid major health and behavioral issues affecting male cats. The cost of spaying or neutering your cat will also be much, much less than the cost of caring for a litter of kittens or trying to clean up the strong smell of cat spray.

How Does Spaying Work?

When your female cat is spayed, their fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus are surgically removed. Female cats are often physically mature enough to mate as early as six months old. Cats go through "heat" cycles every six months, often engaging in nervous and unusual behaviors. Some cats will attack, roll on the floor, or even beg for attention through vocalizing. Spaying removes the cause of these behaviors: hormones related to mating and the natural urge to reproduce.

How Does Neutering Work?

When your male cat is neutered, their testicles are surgically removed. Most male cats are physically able to mate and reproduce at about six months of age. Unneutered cats are much more likely to wander the neighborhood in search of un-spayed female cats. By neutering your male cat, you curb this type of behavior (and help them avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pet overpopulation). Neutering also decreases a male cat's need to "mark" territory and often reduces any aggressive tendency to fight other cats – and potentially need treatment. After being neutered, your cat will still keep their unique personality, but will be less likely to roam, spray, or act aggressive.

How are Spay and Neuter Surgeries Performed?

While the spay and neuter surgeries are different, they have the same goal. Each is meant to keep your cat from reproducing and filling the neighborhood with unwanted kittens that may, in the end, be put down due to pet overpopulation. Here are the differences between the two surgeries performed on male and female cats:

Neutering: your vet makes a surgical incision in the cat's scrotum. The vet then removes the cat's testicles, and then closes the incision.

Spaying: the vet makes a surgical incision in your cat's abdomen. The vet then removes the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. The incision is then closed with sutures.

Are Spaying or Neutering Surgeries Dangerous?

No. These are some of the most routine procedures that we perform at our vet clinics. Complications during a spaying or neutering surgery are very rare. During the surgery, your cat is given anesthetic and will feel no pain. Most cats can go home the same day as the procedure. Depending on how well your cat reacts to anesthesia and the surgery, they may need to stay overnight. Our vet will be able to outline everything to expect during your cat's spaying or neutering, including caring for your pet over the recovery period – which is generally very short.

Helping Your Cat Before and After Spaying or Neutering

Before your cat undergoes spaying or neutering, your vet will have some pre-surgical advice you will need to follow. The main recommendation will be to avoid feeding your cat after midnight the night before spaying or neutering. Your vet will also have post-operative steps that help your cat heal faster and better. Your cat may experience some pain or discomfort following their surgery, so it may be necessary for your cat to have medication to control pain.

Tips for Your Cat's Safe Recovery

Be sure to give your cat space and quiet to recover, and protected from interaction with other pets in the household.

Keep your cat from activities like running or jumping for up to two weeks, and keep them indoors.

Your cat will be restricted from licking their surgery incision site, as licking the wound can cause infections.

Don't bathe your cat for at least a week to ten days after the surgery.

Keep checking on their incision site to make sure it's healing properly, and report any worries to our veterinary office at once.

If you notice any swelling, discharge or discoloration at your cat's incision site, contact our clinic so we can help. Other common trouble signs to look out for include your cat acting lethargic, having a decreased appetite, or vomiting or diarrhea.

Why Choose Us

At Affordable Animal Hospital, our dedicated and skilled veterinary staff has handled many cat spaying and neutering procedures. We offer high quality, reliable, and affordable veterinary care for your pets. Help us keep the pet population down and your cat healthy and happy by scheduling your spaying or neutering with us.